All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PORTABLE
Mobile
Laden
Portentous
Immense
Important
Mobile
The "port-" in "portable" derives from the Latin for carry or transport, and the suffix "-able" means able to be, so it makes sense that "portable" means able to be carried easily from place to place. This is close to the meaning of the word “mobile,” which means able to move or be moved easily from one area to another. “Immense” means very big or very important; “laden” means weighed down with or burdened by; "portentous" means ominous or foreboding; and "important" means deserving considerable attention relative to other points or ideas.
Example Question #181 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MAXIMIZE
Enliven
Perceive
Expand
Challenge
Undergo
Expand
To “maximize” something means to make it as high quality or as big as it can possibly be or to get as much out of something as possible. That means that "expand" is the best answer choice, as "expand" means make larger. As for the other answer choices, "challenge" means urge to participate in a competitive activity with the speaker or contest or dispute; "undergo" means experience something bad or difficult; "perceive" means notice; and "enliven" means add energy to something, often specifically a social gathering.
Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DEFLECT
Throw
Speak
Sidetrack
Shatter
Listen
Sidetrack
The prefix "de-" in "deflect" means away from, and the "-flect" portion of the word means to bend, as it comes from the same roots as the word "flexible" (bendable). So, it makes sense that "deflect" can mean bend away from moving in a straight line, often because of having hit something. To “deflect” can also mean cause something to change direction, or to “sidetrack.”
Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SATISFY
Account
Fulfill
Renounce
Explain
Indicate
Fulfill
The word "satisfy" comes from Latin roots that mean to make to be enough. The word "satis" in Latin means enough. The suffix "-fy" indicates to do or to make. (This too is from Latin roots, though they are more complex.) Thus, something is satisfying when it is fulfilling. We can sometimes say that food is "satisfying" or "satisfactory," but we might also say that an answer is satisfying or a concert performance is satisfactory. Thus, the correct answer is "fulfill." Something that satisfies fulfills the requirements for that things.
Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
COMPEL
Escape
Fret
Proceed
Judge
Pressure
Pressure
The Latin suffix -pel means force, as in "repel" which means to force backwards. So, "compel" means force someone to do something, pressure someone. Additionally, "fret" means worry; "proceed" means continue; to "judge" means to make a decision on something based on evidence.
Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ASCEND
Climb
Leap
Punish
Fall
Reward
Climb
The Latin suffix -scend means climb, up, go. So, to "ascend" means to climb upwards. Another example of a -scend word is "descend" which means to go down. Additionally, "leap" means to jump high or far.
Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISPUTE
Disagree
Displace
Disappoint
Disavow
Dismember
Disagree
The Latin suffix -put means think, as in "compute," which means calculate, think about and figure out. So, "dispute" means to disagree, to not agree with what someone thinks. Additionally, "disavow" means renounce, deny; "displace" means either to cause to be moved from it's original position or to replace; "dismember" means take apart, particularly with regard to taking apart a living being. The prefix dis- has many different meanings, but it is generally a "negating" prefix. "Negating" means causing something to mean the opposite.
Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISTORT
Confess
Alter
Increase
Decrease
Abandon
Alter
The Latin suffix -tort means twist, bend, as in "contort," which means to twist one's body. So, "distort" means to twist out of shape, to change something so that it looks unnatural. The closest answer to this is "alter," which means change. Additionally, "confess" means admit to having done something wrong; "increase" means make larger and "decrease" means make smaller; "abandon" means leave behind.
Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRESERVE
Lend
Donate
Maintain
Demand
Supplant
Maintain
The Latin suffix -serv means to keep, to save. So, "preserve" means to save something for the future, to maintain something. To provide additional help, "donate" means give to, usually give to charity; "lend" means allow to borrow; "supplant" means replace.
Example Question #18 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONSTRUCT
Plead
Drive
Destroy
Lift
Build
Build
The Latin root -struct- means build. So, to "construct" means to build. Another example of a -struct- word is "destruct," which means to destroy something that has been built. Additionally, "plead" means beg, urge.
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